Five Best Walks From Coniston Village
Visitors to the Lake District love Coniston for its fantastic pubs, cafés and shops, gorgeous Coniston Water, and of course, great access to the surrounding fells. This area is renowned for its picturesque scenery, laid back feel, choice of fantastic walking options and that iconic route, the Old Man of Coniston Walk.
After your exertion, cool off in the one of the waterfall pools or replace those lost calories with a home-cooked meal at one of the friendly pubs in the village.
Whether you’re coming to stay, or heading here for the day, Coniston is a THE place to head to for a fabulous adventure on the fells. Here are some of the best fell walks from Coniston that start right in Coniston Village.
1. Coniston Village – Black Sails – Wetherlam – Coniston Village
Approximately 10km / 6.2mi – allow 4 – 5 hours
One of our absolute favourite walks from Coniston, this hike escapes the crowds on the Coniston Old Man Walk and takes in some truly spectacular landscapes.
From the Bluebird Car Park, leave via the Coppermines Lane pedestrian exit and turn right. Follow the lane as it bears left and becomes an unpaved track. Go past Miner’s Bridge (without crossing) then, when you see another track bearing right towards a row of miners’ cottages, take this track. Ignore a fork leading to the front of the cottages and continue uphill then turn left to take the path that follows the mountainside behind the cottages. You’ll see an old stone tower that used to be part of the mine workings – aim for the tower.
After the tower, and as the ground levels off, cross the wooden footbridge at Red Dell Beck. Ahead of you is the unmistakable Thriddle Incline – the remains of a straight, stone construction heading uphill towards the Black Sail Ridge. Head up the Incline.
At the top of the Incline the path bears left, then right as you approach the ridge behind Kennel Crag. Just before the path descends to Lever’s Water, a fainter path leaves on the right to climb Black Sails ridge.
The path weaves its way through the rocky outcrops of the ridge and offers spectacular views down to Lever’s Water below, Coniston Water in the distance and across to Coniston Old Man. The path faint path can easily be lost, meaning this walk is best done in clear weather, so pay attention to its progress along and up the ridge line.
Towards the end of the ridge, the trail passes to the right of the summit Black Sails (745m), bear left if you wish to visit the summit or stay on the path to continue to Wetherlam.
As the gradient levels and you approach the Red Dell Head Moss, you’ll intersect with the path from Swirl Hawse heading east to Wetherlam summit(763m).
There are breathtaking views north from Wetherlam, so once reached, spend some time on the summit before leaving on the path heading south. You’re now walking on the ridge parallel to the one on your ascent. Eventually this path intersects with a more defined path from Tilberthwaite at Above Beck Falls. Turn right to follow this path back to Coppermines Valley then follow Coppermines Lane back to the Coniston car park.
2. Coniston Village – Prison Band – Swirl How – Coniston Old Man – Coniston Village
Approximately 12.5km / 7.8mi – allow 5-6 hours
Equal in height to Coniston Old Man, but with arguably even better views from the top, Swirl How looks at its most impressive as its pointed summit looms over Lever’s Water.
Again, from the Bluebird Car Park, leave via the Coppermines Lane exit and turn right to follow the lane all the way up to Coppermines Valley. Stay on the lane as it bears left past the Youth Hostel and Coppermines Mountain Cottages, and then bears right past the water treatment plant to zig zag up the fellside towards Levers Water.
At Lever’s Water take the path which follows along the lakeshore on the right. The path then leaves the tarn behind to climb towards Swirl Hawse. Once reached, turn left at Swirl Hawse to approach the summit of Swirl How (802m) via the Prison Band route.
There’s some minor, but fun, scrambling involved to negotiate the rocky outcrops (or stone towers) on the Prison Band as you make your way towards the summit which is marked with a large cairn.
Once ready, leave the summit in the path heading south. You’re now following the ridge line towards Great How Crags, Brim Fell, then the Old Man of Coniston. As you make your way along the ridge you will see Levers Water below you on your right and Seathwaite Tarn below you on your left. Regular cairns mark the way along the ridge which, after Great How Crags begins to climb towards the domed summit of Brim Fell. After which it’s a simple stroll to join the crowds on Coniston Old Man.
Leave Old Man on the well-used path heading southeast and follow the pitched stone path zigzagging down to Low Water then down towards Coppermines Valley. When the path sweeps right towards Walna Scar car park, continue ahead and through a gate to take the path heading down towards Coppermines Valley. Go past Miner’s Bridge and you’ll emerge at Dixon Ground.
Turn left at The Sun Inn to return the village centre and the Bluebird Car Park.
3. Coniston Village – Brown Pike – Dow Crag
Approximately 15km / 9.3mi – allow 6 hours
This route utilises the ancient Walna Scar Road and takes in the summits of Buck Pike, Brown Pike and Dow Crag, before descending via the dramatic Goat’s Water.
From the Bluebird Car Park, head into the village and cross the bridge. At The Coppermines Lakes Cottages office, turn right to take the lane leading to the Sun Inn. At the Sun Inn turn right in-between the pub and Dixon Ground Cottages, go past Bend or Bump, Dixon Ground Farm and continue on the track ahead. Go past the Coppermines Shepherds Huts on your left as the path begins to climb with Church Beck and the waterfalls down and on your right.
Go past Miner’s Bridge (without crossing) and head uphill through the Coppermines Conservation Area. After passing through the third gate, look for a path on your left heading towards an informal car park. At the parking area, turn right along the Walna Scar Road.
Continue on the Walna Scar Road until you come to cross-roads at its highest point. On your left is the summit of Walna Scar (621m) should you wish to pay it a visit. If not, then turn right to head up to Brown Pike (682m).
Once at Brown Pike, it’s a simply case of following the ridge to Buck Pike (744m) then on to the compact, rocky summit of Dow Crag (778m). But be wary of the steep edge on your right down to Goat’s Water below as you follow the ridge.
From the summit, continue north, then west to reach the depression at Goat’s Hawse. From here take the pitched stone path down to Goat’s Water, follow the path along the rock strewn shores of the tarn to continue in a southerly direction.
Leaving the tarn behind then path turns east, then southeast before rejoining the Walna Scar Road. Turn left towards the parking area but this time head for the gate onto the lane, going through which, and following the lane, will lead you back to Coniston village.
4. A Tour of Coppermines Valley – avoiding the summits
Approximately 7km / 4mi – allow 3 hours
Sometimes, maybe because of low cloud, tired legs or maybe just because the mood strikes you, a lower level Coniston Walk avoiding the summits is in order. This route sweeps around the slopes of Coniston Old Man, heads up to the beautiful Levers Water, then makes its way around Tongue Brow at the head of Coppermines Valley before returning to Coniston on the opposite side of the valley under the shadow of Yewdale Crag. There are plenty of interesting things to see along the way, including the Pudding Stone, and many remnants of the areas rich mining history, plus some stunning views (naturally).
From the Bluebird Car Park, leave via the exit on Coppermines Lane and turn right. Follow the land as it becomes an unmade track, cross the cattle grid, continue uphill then look out for Miner’s Bridge on your left. Cross the bridge then turn right to continue uphill through the Coppermines Conservation Area. Eventually this path passes through a gate and merges with the path from Walna Scar car park. After a few metres, a level path branches off on your right to skirt around sloping fellside. Take this path.
Shortly after the Pudding Stone, a huge boulder on your left, a wooden footbridge crosses a stream. Cross the footbridge and continue ahead as you now start to climb towards Levers Water.
Once Levers Water appears in front of you turn right towards the dam. You’ll pass by some gaping mine entrances in the fellside. Cross the dam then turn right to head down the mountain road.
At the first sharp bend in the mountain road, leave it for a footpath continuing straight ahead to follow the contour around Tongue Brow. Past a rocky outcrop you’ll reach the old water course from the mine which now serves as a level footpath to Red Dell Moss.
At Red Dell turn right to cross the footbridge. You’ll see the ruins on a mining building and a stone tower ahead. Take the footpath heading down the valley. A path branches off on your right to the mountain road in Coppermines Valley. Ignore that and continue ahead.
You’ll climb slightly before being rewarded with a stunning view of Coniston Village and Coniston Water. The path then begins to descend, eventually joining up with Coppermines Lane and back into the village.
5. Coniston Village – Coniston Old Man – Coniston Village
Approximately 11km / 6.8mi – allow 4-5 hours
No trip to Coniston is complete without a walk to this iconic mountain summit. Your efforts are rewarded by breath-taking views throughout the hike.
From the Bluebird Car Park, leave via the exit on Coppermines Lane and turn right. Follow the land as it becomes an unmade track, cross the cattle grid, continue uphill then look out for Miner’s Bridge on your left. Cross the bridge then turn right to continue uphill through the Coppermines Conservation Area. Eventually this path passes through a gate and merges with the path from Walna Scar car park. The climb now begins in earnest, passing through some derelict remains of the mining era and twisting its way to Low Water. At the tarn the path bears left then begins its final zigzag towards the summit (802m).
At the summit, leave in a north-westerly direction and follow the well-defined path down and left to Goat’s Hawse. At Goat’s Hawse take the pitched stone path which heads steeply down to the teardrop shaped Goat’s Water then traces the rocky shoreline due south before leaving the tarn behind, turning southeast and eventually intersecting with the Walna Scar Road.
At this ancient carthorse track, turn left to continue downhill. When reached, go through the informal parking area and pass through the gate onto the lane leading back to Coniston village.
You’ll find a choice of other Coniston Old Man walks in our related article.
Shorter Coniston Walks
These are just a few walks around Coniston, and there are many more besides! Head along the lake from Coniston Village for more relaxed Coniston Water walks – it’s around 3km or 2mi to Torver Jetty. Here you can decide whether to meander back or jump on the launch boat to return to Coniston Village.
Alternatively, other walks near Coniston include a stroll around Tarn Hows, the iconic manmade tarn above Hawkshead. Or explore Grizedale across the water from Coniston Village – there are plenty of hiking trails, mountain biking routes and adventure activities to be found amongst the trees.
Coniston Parking
With the recent opening of Bluebird Car and Coach Park, Coniston now provide ample parking in the centre of the village. Finding a place to park is no longer the stress-inducing chore it used to be, making Coniston walks way more accessible.
With over 70 parking spaces, plus overflow for the busiest of days and free toilets, the car park reasserts Coniston as one of the best places in the Lakes to head to for a fantastic day in the fells.
Coniston Holiday Cottages
To get the very best out of this truly amazing area, choose a self-catering holiday cottage with all the comforts of home and the convenience of a useful base in a stunning location. Coniston has some divine holiday cottages, or check out Torver, just south along the lake.
Our very own Coppermines Valley offers a more secluded retreat whilst still being close to the amenities and activities Coniston and the surrounding villages boast. Or head to Grizedale and Satterthwaite across the water for a more off-the-beaten-track stay. Whatever you’re into, we have just the place.
